Knitting machine



4 March 19,1929. ,'MA'N .N 1,706,306

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 30, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet l ll .hllllll'lll m n t;

" 4HM|II HI.)

IIHIHHHHHHIIJIHIHIIHIIIW W (I A TTORNEY.-

Maichl9, 1929. A. J. MAINKIN 1,706,306

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June'30, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 1.8.8 Mum)!!! 1 March 19, 1929. M'AN 1,7Q6,306

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 50, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 3' 49 4/ 45 4 47 4/ HBbbcboMoooodo A TTORNEY.

March 19, 1929. J, MANKIN KNITTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 50, 1926 INVENTOR ATTORNEY.

March 19, 1929. I J MANK|N 1,706,306

I KNIT-TING MACHINE Filed June so, 1926 e Sheets-Sheet 5 62 Dow v r15 62 UP 02 Dow/v I a4 1111:: :1 11111111111111 111111111- 35 I: 111111 62 62 2 1 1- 1111111111- 1 11 3 Z INVENTOR.

March 19, 19 29. V MANK|N 1,706,306

KNITTING MACHINE Filed June 30, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 1 NVEN TOR.

' ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 19, 1929.

' irsn s r TEs A'rsnrorrica.

eana nveasa ess nce. new N. Y., A. concession or NEW QB 1 Kmrmme HIN Application filed. June 39,

The invention relates to lmitting machines and relates more particularly to the rotary or circular type of knitting machines, such as is exemplified in spring needle machines of the 1V ildman type. ,The invention contemplates as its eneral object to provide means adapted to be used in connection with a knitting machine of the character described, for automatically forming a rein.- forcing splice on the Work in the desired locality and while the same-is being-knitted. More particularly, the invention is designed to. provide means for torming a reinforced splice portion of stepped configuratlon on ladies hose. r

The present application is a continuation in part of my prior application Serial No. 23,491., filed April 16, 1925, allowed January 6, 1926, and bearing No. 1,5943%." lllhile the present invention is directed to certain improvements and advantages not-present in my allowed application, the basic principles involved are'the sameand have been enlarged upon in detail in said allowed application. Thereforereference to said allowed application will lend itself to a more clear understandin ot the present improvements.

Briefly stated my allowed application above referred to concerns the provisionot a ring attachmentdesigned to be applied to and used in connection with spring needle knitting machines of the character described and having auton'iatic camYmechanisn i co.- operating therewith to selectively'andpro- ;rressively control and actuate predetermined blocks oi" needles in the cylinder which results in a high splice'desigu of stepped con.- figuration and of colored thread if desired being knitt as an additional thickness in the heel por ion of ladies hos-e. The ring membersurrounds a' needle. cylinderand carries needle butt IHGlRbQJ-S or blocks which in turn actuated and controlled by movable and stationary cam elements which are automatically drawn into operationv at the desired time in the progress of knitting. the stocking.

The present improvements, while broadly including the mechanism for accomplishing the objects described, ate. directed to certain improvements in the ring member andv the needle cont-rolling elements carried thereby tor automaticallyand progressively throw,- ing into operation successive blocks. of needles for forming the stepped high splice 1926, Serial no. 'naees.

in the. heel portion. of the stocking. In my aforesaid allowed application the widest portion of the splice is at the lower part of the heel and thereai tcrthe sole. and toe portion of the stocking are completed: inthe usual manner incident'to machines of." this type and irrespective oi:- the presence .of the ring member and its associated elements. The present; improvements further contem: plate in this regard means for automatically knitting a.- reinforcing: splice of steppedsconfiguration and ofdi'lferentcolored, yarniii the sole portion of the stockingafter a Sin ilar stepped splice has been knitted as described into the. h eeli'portion. The reinforced stepped splice provided by. the pres+ ent improvements. isfcommenced' after the heel portion hasheen knitted: and at the time the yarn needles. for knitting the sole portion are drawn into. operation. By the presentimprovements different colored yarnsarc utilized for knitting the heel and toe portions of thestocking. The needles for forming the stepped reinforcing. splice in the sole of the. stocking are the same which are utiliized for forming certain of! the steps, in the configuration ofthe heel splice, and the elements oi the ring; member controlling these needles are the same in each. instance. Means are provided in. thefpresentimprovements for cooperating with. the. ring member to knit the steppedsplice in the sole: portion the propen interval after the stepped splice in the heel has'been completed.

\Vith such objects in view as well as other advantages which maybei'nciid'ent to. the use of the improvements; the invention. consists in the parts and combinations thereof here:- inatter' set forth. and claimed, with the understanding. that the severalinecessary elements constituting the same maybe varied in proportions and arrangement without departing from the. nature and scope. of the invention; In order to make the invention. more clearly understood there are shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical. eitect, without limiting the improvements, in their useful applications, tocthe particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have; been made the subject of illustra ion; a

. 1n the said drawings]; I I

Fig. 1 is a pe 'spc t n izieW-.Q por inn of aspring needle-knitting machine of the character described and illustrating only such parts as are necessary to a complete understanding of the present improvements. Fig. 2 is a similar view looking from the opposite side of the machine and'illustrating more clearly the ring element shown in Fig. 1 and also showing the automatic cam mech anism for actuating the needle controlling elements carried by said ring member. The mechanism for feeding thread to the needles for the various and successive steps in the knitting of the stocking and shown in Fig. 1 has been omitted in this figure.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the improved ring member illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and elements carried. thereby, and which ring member is designed. to be removably secured to the needle cylinder of spring needle knitting machines of the character described for carrying thepresent invention into effect.

Fig. 4: is a similar view with the needle actuating blocks omitted.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the ring structure illustrated in Fig. 3 and illustrating itsmanner of attachment to the rotating cylinder dial of the knitting machine.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a similar view on line '7-7 of Fig. 4:.

Fig. 8 is'a similar view on line 88'of Fig. 8. V

Fig. 9.is a horizontal detail sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 8, with the sliding block members removed.

Figs. 10 and 11 are detail perspective views of oneof the vertically reciprocable block members or lugs for controlling the short butt design knitting needles.

Figs. 12 and 13 are similar views of one of the clamp guide members for housing the block members illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11.

Fig. 14 is' a plan view of the resilient spring band which is designed to encircle the ring member and yieldingly maintain the reciprocating block members in adjusted position.

Fig. 15 is a detail perspective view of the cam mechanism for automatically controlling the block members carried by the ring member and which block members are illustrated in Figs. 3, 5, 8, 10 and 11.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged detail view of the lower portion of the lift rod illustrated in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the cam wheel illustrated in Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a plan View of the cam members for controlling the needles carried by the needle cylinder and which are shown in perspective in Fig. 15.

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view showing the successive and progressive steps in controlling the needles to knit first the stepped configuration in the heel portion and second a similar stepped configuration in the sole portion of the stocking.

Fig. 20 IS an elevational view of the stocking adapted to be knitted in the spring Fig. 23 is a detail side elevation of an adjustable lugwor detent shown in Fig. 2-.

Fig. 24 1s a detail side elevation oi; the mechanism illustrated in F1 1 and looking from the opposite side of the machine as viewed in the latter figure/ Fig. 25 is a detail perspective view ofa portion of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 26 is a detail perspective view of the jaw clamp illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 27 is, a detail fragmentary perspective view of the yarn finger 4t illustrated in Fig. l and looking from the opposite side of the finger as viewed in the latter figure.

teferring to the drawings, and with particular reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the knitting machine in conjunction with which the attachment is designed to be used comprises the usual vertical standards 1 and top portion 2. The knitting cylinder or head is indicated at 3 and is adapted to be rotated from the power source of the machine in the usual manner. The rotating needle head 3 carrying the vertical needles 3 is designed to contact and cooperate with the usual stationary cams (not shown) by means of which the needles are automatically and periodically raised and lowered to catch and clear the thread or yarn and perform the knitting operation in accordance with the usual known p notice in machines .of this character.

Referring to Fig. 1 the main yarn guides or fingers are shown at the left hand of the machine and this mechanism constitutes a preferred or known construction in machines of this type. It will be sufficient to state that the main yarn fingers 4, 10, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are raised or lowered by corresponding cams 9 through the'medium of interposed cooperating levers indicated atll when it is desired to place the yarn fingers out or in knitting position. The main yarn or thread strands are indicated at 15 and are fed from suitable spools or rolls (not shown) to the outer ends of the yarn fingers a, 10 and ,5 to 8. It will be understood that when the yarn fingers are raisedthe needles 3 are un able to catch the yarn while the needles are rotating.

The high splicer finger is indicated at 16 and is designed to be raised or lowered by the cam 17 throughithe action of lever 18 when it is desired to place the splicing yarn out or in knitting position. The high splice thread or'yarn 19, which may be of varicolored thread if desired, is conducted from the usual. roll (not shown) through an upri ht tubular guide post 20 and to the end or the high splicer linger 16 where it is en gaged or cleared by certain of the needles 3 according to whether the high. splicer finger is in or out of knitting position'as determined by the cam 17 and lever 18. 'The main yarn finger cams 9 and the high splice finger cam 17 are caused to rotate by the usual ratchet and pawl mechanism acting by power through the rocking movement of a suitable lever loosely mounted on a transverse shaft and rocked by power applied through the movement of such lever. 'Such mechanism is shown in my allowed application above referred to and the described lever is automatically and oeriodically reciprocated from the power source of the machine to move the yarns carried by the main yarn lingers 4 to 8 and high splicer finger 16 into and out of position to be engaged and caught bythe rotating needles 3 of the needle cylinder 3, as determined by the progress of the work. p

It will be understood that the procedur described is common practice in knitting machines of this character. The means for mitting the stepped high splice at the heel portion of the stocking are shownand 'described in my allowed parent application referred to and broadly stated comprise a ring member having vertically reciprocable blocks for controlling the short needle butts and successivelyactuating the same at the proper interval when the heel is reached. Similar means are provided in the present application for knitting this stepped l' :1 splice at the heel portion but the same include certain structural improvements and modifications not present in my said allowed application. 7 i i In the present instance the ring member as shown at 40 is preferably constructed of metal and consists of twosemi-circular sections 40 and 40" adapted to be "removably atached to the needle cylinder of the machine (Figs. 3 and 4); The assembled ring member 40 is adaptedto be removably secured as by screws 41 passing through apertures 42, to the rotating cylinder dial 44 of the knittin machine (Fig. 5). One of the ring sections 40 is formed with a plurality of spaced vertical grooves 45 having intervening ribs or guides 4Gpreferably cast integrally with theiring section. A plurality of housing members 47 7 also preferably of metal and having cut away recessed portions 48 on their inner sides are designed: to be removably secured to the ring member 40 by means or: screws or fastening means 49 passing through suitable apertures 49 in the housing members, said screws having a threaded eng .gement at their inner ends with suitable spaced apertures 49 in the ribs or guide members 46 of the ring section 40 Each housing member 47 is further provided with cut away portions 49 in their side walls and afrecessed horizontal groove 49 in its rear wall, said cut away portions being preferably disposed between the screw apertures 49 of the housing member and the purpose ot which Wlll be described.

A plurality of block members 50, each having a pair of vertically extending spaced lugs are designed to be-housed within the members 47 wi h the upstanding portions ol arranged on each side of the ribs 01 guides 4601: the ring-sectionJ The block members are designed to have a free vertical sliding movement within the housing members 47 when the device isassembled. 'lhansverserecessed portions 52 are provided in the upstanding portions 51 of the block members (Fig. 2) and spaced in suchmanner that when assembled said recessed portions 52" are opposite the corresponding transverserecess 49 in each of the housing members 47. A coil spring or band 43 of circular configuration (Fig. 14) is designed to encircle the sections 40 and 40 of the assembled ring element, suitable peripheral grooves 43 being provided in the ring sec tions, Figs. 6 and'7; to receive the spring when the ends of the latter are hookedtogether. The construction described results in spring member 43 being contained within thenotches 49 and groove 49 in the housing members 47 'whenthe later are secured to the ring section40 and the spring member ongages the transverse recessed portions 52 of the vertically reciprocable block members :30

'to removably maintain the latter in their normal upper position'tFigs. 5 and 8). a

The lower ends of the blocks are provided with outwardly projecting lugs 53 which as best seen in Fig. 3 are of varying lengths; The blocks 50 are equally spaced on each side of the vertical center of the ring section 40 as viewedin Fig. 3, and

the innermost pair of blocks 50, one on each side of the center, are provided with the shortest outwardly proge'ctmg lugs 53.

Thence the succeeding pairs of lugs increase successively inlength as at 53 53, 53, 53 and 53, the outermost lugs 53 being of greatest length. The lower ends 50" of the vertically reciprocable block members 50 are do 'ned to engage the butt jacks 62 ot the short butt needles carried by the needle cylinder 3 when the blocks are moved dmvnwardly, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, and when the device is in operation to lrnitthe heel splice of the stocking. The projecting lugs 53 to 53 are engaged by movable stationary cam members carried on the machine adjacent the needle cylinderin a manner clearly described in my allowed application herein referred to. it will be sutlicient to state that the variation of length of the lugs 53 to 53 results in progressive actuation of the short butt needles 62 to successively knit from the narrowest to the widestportion of the stepped splice in the heel, shown at A in Fig. 20, and the lugs 53 to 53 are engaged and knocked downwardly to control the short butt needles as the ring rotates with the cylinder past the cam members referrod to and located adjacent said cylinderin the path of the lugs.

The mechanism for controlling the short needle butts to successively knit'the steps in the heel splice and which is enlarged upon in detail in my parent application will be briefly described herein. This mechanism is illustrated in'Figs. 15 and 18 and in the upper portion of Fig. 2. Referring to these figures, a block or support 54 is suitably secured to and rigidly mounted on the top portion or table 2 of the machine. The support has removably secured thereto a stationary cam member 56 which projectsdirectly under-the rotating ring 40 in such manner as to engage the lugs 53' to 53 and move the same and their blocks -to their normal upper position against the ring when the latter is revolved, where the blocks are yieldably maintained by the circular coil spring or band'lS as described. he support 5% further provided with a curved stationary cam member 57 (Fig. 18) so positioned as to project into the path of the long needle butts 58 of the usual needles 3 which latter are thereby deflected downwardly and temporarily out of operating position until they have passed the various cams carried by the support 54. This action is to temporarily separate the long butt needles 58 from the short butt needles 2 and permit the subsequent progressive selection and actuation to knit the stepped splice. The short butt needles for effecting the design, as best seen in Fig. 18, are not engaged by the cam 57 to be moved downwardly but pass freely by thiscam. These short butt needles are designed to be moved upwardly by a horizontally reciprocating cam member 59 suitably secured as by a pin and slot connection for horizontal. movement relative to the block 54;. It willbe understood that when i the cam member is in its innermost posishaped configuration of the engaging portion of the cam member. This upward movement of the short butt needles places them in position 011 the cylinder-to be subseopiently engaged by the blocks 50 when the latter are selectively moved downwardlyflas "described above. The blocks arev normally maintained in their uppermostposition dur; mg the operation of the machine by means outwardly by the cam mechanism shown in r 1.) the lugs 53 having the shortest length are first cleared. by the cam 74- with the result that the short butt needles lifted to operative position by cam 5.39 are permit ted to remain in position and the first or nar: rowest step of the splice is knitted. On the next outward movement of thecam 74 the next shortest pair of lugs 53 are cleared by this cam with a result that short butt needles controlled by blocks 53 BBC 53 remain in operation with the result that the second or next widest step of the design is knitted. This step-by-step; outward movement away from the needle cylinder of cam 7a is con trolled by cam wheel 86 which is periodically rotated with a step-bystep movement from the power source of the machine, and is clearly described in my allowed application above referred to. It will be suii'icient to state that the cam 74; is progressively moved outwardly by means of steps 86" on the periphery of the cam wheel 86 which are successively engaged by roller 84 on lever 82 pivotally connected at its free end to the vertical. rod 80 having at its upper end a, cam face 77 engaging a recess 79 in the cam 74L. The latter is normally forced inwardly to engage all of the lugs 53 to 53 by means of a spring 9G engaging said cam and secured at its lower end to the frame 2 of the machine. Referring still to Fig. 15 during the normal knitting of a stocking the. roller 84 engages the smooth periphery of the wheel 86 with a result that cam 74 is held in its outermost position to clear all the lugs, 53 to 53 by means of the cam face 77 engaging slot 79 in cam '74:. At this time the lower cam end of rod 68 depends in its lowermost position. at one side and free of cam wheel 86, said cam 70 and rod 68 being held downward]. b the aressure of sjrin 'v 90 engaging and disposed between the lower end of said rod and a bracket 69 on the machine. in this position it will be apparent that cam 59 is in its outermost position to clear the short needle butts with the result ill) that the latter are not moved too eratin 25 stocking is performed by 'the usuallon'g butt I needles controlled by the'u'sual cams (not shown) of the machine. At a predetermined time when the heel portion; of the stocking is reached and the design is to be knitted; the highest tooth or step 86 engages roller 84 and cam 74: is thereby moved from its outer most to its innermost position to engage all of the lugs 53 to .539 of the block members 50 to thereby move the same downwardly, releasing them from their yieldable retaining spring 43. At'the same moment that this action occurs projection 71 on the opposite side of cam wheel 86 engages cam moving the same upwardly against the pressure of spring 90 and projecting earn 59 into the path of the shortbutt needles '62 to move the same upwardly into operating position and within the control path ofthebl'ocks 50. The projection 71 is of such length as to engage cam 70 and maintain cam 59inwardl'y as longas roller 84 islin engagement with the successive steps 85 of ca1n'8'6. As the roller 8 1 progressively engages each step 86, and dwelling for a short time at each 'st ep, ,it will be apparent that cam 7 4; is progressively moved outwardly to successively and respec tively clear lugs 53 to 53 and. this results in the stepped s plice being knitted at heel portion of the stocking, When the,

latter is completed cam 70 clears projection 71 and is forced downwardly by spring 90 resulting in cam 59 being moved out of the path oi? the short needle butts and the knitting of the stockingprocee ds by the long needles in the usual manner. p

I will now describe the mechanism for knitihg into the heel of the stockinga different colored yarn from that used in knitting the too. As best seenin Fig. 1, the yarn fingers 1, 5, 6,7 and 8 are individually hctuated by their 'respectivecains. 9 at predetermined intervals in the formation of a stocking, and each yarn fingerperforms one or moreoperations toward the completion of the article. The manner and interval of operation of these yarn fingers it to S has been fully describedin my allowed application in which said yarn lingers are illustrated and described. I Inthe present invention. and for the purpose of knitt nga d11-' i'erent colored yarn in the heel from. that used in knitting the toe, an additional finger 10 is added as illustrated in Fig. 1. Yarn finger 1 is utilized in knitting the heel and toe of the stocking and for this reason this arn finger is utilized to control additional yarn finger 10 and moves the latter into knitting position when it is desired. to. 1n-

clude the different colored yarn into the heelv and t'o'e portions p ,An uprigh member or post 1s provided on the top 2 of the machine and is standard equipment in machines of the type with which the present improvements are designed to be used. frame member 101 is secured to the top of the upright 100 and projects remaraiy toward the knitting cylinde'r; The member 101 supports at its outer end the take-up Wire's102 and 103 respectively for yarn finge io and p A bifurcated clamp member 10 lhaving a downwardly ex. tending control rod 105 normally rests on the ameaands 15 and l5 land b clam) y 7. VV ,1

ing the latter against the frame prevents the yarns from moving during the ordinary process of knitting a stocking. The lower end of the control rod 105 is pivoted at 106 to one endoit' a rocking lever 107 inturn pivoted as at 108 to the machine frame, and rocking leverfil07 is designed to beengaged at the proper interval byfa projection or lug 109 of a cam wheel 110 suitably actuated 'aindfrotated from the power source of the machine. The elements immediately described are standard equ pment of spring needle type lcni'tting machines.

A rockerarinlll ispivoted at 112 to the upper end of anew-.113 and the lower end of said ear is secured suitable means 114 to] the forwardly extending frame member 101. One end of the pivoted rocker arm'111 hassecured thereto a depending clamping yarn finger 1. The depending lever 116 has secured thereto as at 120 a clamping member or rod 121 (Fig. 25). The lattereX tends reanmtaiy and atits free end isadapt ed to engage and clamp when desired the takeup wire 102 cont-rolling colored yarn finger 10, thereby preventing when desired the knitting operation of this linger. 'Yarn to the yarn linger 1 for the heel a nd'toe of the-stocking is, shown at l5 and is supplied from a, suitable reel (not shown) to yarn finger 4 (Fig. The colored yarn for yarn finger 10 is shown at 15 aiid is supjliedffrom a similar reel (not shown) to the end of yarn finger 10.

The operation of the devices described'tor conti'olling the knitting of colored yarn into the heel and toe of'th'e stocking is as follows:

The stepped splice in the heelofthe stocking I and illustrated at 30 to 35 in Fig. 20v has and its associated cam elenients andneedle been knitted by means otthe ring memberO centrolling teal 50 as heretefore described.

When the knitting has proceeded to the will now be described.

point 37 in Fig. 20 it becomes desirable and necessary to throw yarn'finger 1 into operation to knit the heel of the stocking. In the ordinary operation of the machine and in the absence of the present improvements this would be accomplished in due course by pro jection 109 on cam wheel 110 striking the rocking lever 107, thereby raising control armv 105 and releasing clamp 104 from takeup wire 103 controlling the feeding of yarn to finger 41. The latter has been lowered at this time to knitting, position by its individualcam 9 controlled from the power source of the machine in the usual manner. Inthe present improvements when the yarn finger 41 is dropped in knitting position lever 116 pulled downwardly, rocking arm 111 on its pivot and releasing clamp 115 from take-up wire 103, thereby permitting the feeding of yarn to finger l. Simultaneously this downward movement of lever 116 engages clamp 121 witl'rtake-up wire 102 thereby preven ing the feeding of yarn to finger 10. YVhen it is desired to knit colored yarn into the heel portion of the stocking and when yarn finger 1- is elevated by its cam 9 out or knitting position, this movement elevates lever 116 to rock arm 111 and clamp 115 engages take-up wire 103 thereby preventing further feeding of yarn to finger 4. This movement releases clamp 121 from take-up wire 102 and colored yarn 15 is free to be fed to yarn finger 10 to be knit into the sole of thestocking. After the sole of the stocking has been completely knit up to the point 39 (Fig. 20) thediii erent colored yarn is designed to be knit into the toe. Cam 9 under finger 10 permits said fingerto be lowered to knitting position and yarn 15 is fed through. take-up wire'102 to finger 10 to be knit into the toe of the stocking. I

The mechanism for knitting a reinforcing portion of stepped configuration of plain or colored yarn injthesole' portion of the stock ing, and illustrated at 3 1 and 35 in Fig. 20, The same block members 53 and 53 which are employed to control the short needle butts in producing the two lowermost or widest steps 34, 35 in theheel splice, are further utilized in forming the steps 341 and 35 in the sole portion.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, and 20 to 23, and especially to Fig. 2, a modified structure 01' the machine is illustrated for performing this operation in thesole of the stocking.

At the finish of the heel knitting operation the machine proceeds to knit the sole in double thickness, yarn finger 8 being in and high splice finger 16 being in, forming a double or reinforced sole. At a predeter mined *period during the'knitting of the sole it is desired to knit the splice portion illustrated at 34? and 35 in Fig. 20. .The dam wheel 86 is provided as "illustrated with two stepped projections 125 and 126. At

this stage of operation the cam wheel 86 is rotated until projection 125 is 1n lowermost position and ready to be engaged by roller ,84 of lever 82, the cam 86 is revolved in a counter-cloclnvise direction approximately 180 from the position illustrated in 2. At this time cam face 77 of rod 80 is in its down position thereby holding movable cam 7% out oi? 'he path of the lugs 53, 53 and against the pressure of spring 96. hen

stood from an earlier description that the short needle butts 62 are only moved into thecontrol Zone of lugs 53 when cam 59 is in its inward position. Thereiore simultaneously with the engagement of projection 125 with roller 84. to move cam 74 into the path of lugs 53 53 a projection 127 on a wheel 1.23011 the power shaft 73 of the machine contacts with the end 129 of arocker arm 130 pivoted on a stud shaft 131 secured to the machine frame. An extension 132 of the rocker arm 130 has secured thereto b screws 133 a second arm member 13%. lower end of arm "134- adjustably secured by means of threaded nuts 135? engaging car 130, to the lower end of the link or rod 68.

The outward rocking movement 01 arm 130 caused by contact 01 pro ection.- 127 with said.

arm results in rod 08 being moved downwardly and cam 59 is moved inwardly by a bell crank 63 into the path of theshort needle butts. The latter are elevated by. cam 59 into the Zone of control of the'lugs 53 for the first step 34 of the design of the of the sole;

After the first step of the design is knitted T he 7 sole. and by lugs 53, 53 for the second step,

by lugs 53 projection 126 engages roller 8 1} thereby elevating cam face 7 7 of rod 80 and permitting cam 741 to be forced inwardly by spring 96 a distance suiiicient to engage lugs 53, 53 with the result that the second step ili'r of the solo design is knitted.

It is e:-;sential that cam 59 be securely held in its inward position while the steps 3 1- and 35 in the sole are being knitted. To this end locking'devices are provided to insure this result. The outward swinging movement of rocker arm 130 (Fig. 2) swings outwardly anddownwardly arm 13% and a pin or projection 135 on arm 132 engages a latched recess 136 in a curved arm 137 pivoted at 138 to a bracket 139 rigidly se- Cured to the machine frame and said arm 137' is normally pressed inwardly by a "leaf spring 1&0 secured at its lower end, as, at lei 7 3 of the machine notch 136 in curved arm 137.

to the frame or the machine. It Will be said needle control means carried by said apparent that the engagement of projection 135 with notch136 locks arms 132 and 134-, rod 68, bell crank 63 and cam 59 in innermost position after the engagement of projection 12'? on Wheel. 123 with the outer end 129 of rocker arm 130 to move the latter outwardly.

Means are provided to release cam 59 from its innermost position at the conclusion of the ltni'ttiiig-ei'fi the stepped sole conli 'giu'ation, at Which time it is desirez; to remove cam 59 from the path of the short needle butts. At precisely the time that projection 126 passes out of contact with roller "84 at the conclusion the l'r'nitting through the instrumentality of lugs 53 53, a projection or lug 142011 a Wheel 143 on the power shaft "ilres the upper end of a curved lover or r03 -er arm 1'4 loosely and pivotally 'i'i'io'unte'd on stud shaft 131. An adjustabl smd is secured as by threaded stem 1 16 and lock nut 14%? to the roclrer arm 1 1 1 (Fig. 23). Rocker arm 1 1 1 is normally urged inwardly into the path projection 142 on wheel 1 13 b' means of a pin or i 1 promotion 148 on the upper end of thecurv'ed arm 137, the latter as above stated being normally forced inwardly by leaf spring The outward movement or" roelrer arm 1 14: When en a ed b re action 142 results b h K v in the curved arm 137 being" rocked outwardly on its pivot 138 and against the pressure of spring 1410 to release projection 135 of arm 132 from engagement with 'On the release of this lockin eniaa 'ement retractile O k U spring 149 secured at one end as at 1.50 to the machine frame and engaging at its other and extension 132 of rocker arm 130, rocks the latter on the stud shaft 131 thereby elevating rod 68 and moving cam 59 to its ut'er position out of the path of the short needle butts. This movement takes place at one quartei. ot' a revolution before the operation of knitting the toe of the stocking which is carried out in the usual. manner and through the instrumentaliti'es above described and further enlarged uponin my allowedapplication herein referred to.

l Vh-at I claim is 1. An attaclnnent for spring needle kniting machines comprising; a ring member carri d by the needle cylinder, reciprocable lugs carried bv said ring member for controlling the short butt needles of said cyl.

inder, a cam member adapted to be projected into the path of saidshort butt needles to move the same intothe control zone of said ring member, means for automatically actuating said cam member, cam mechanism for automatically controlling the actuation of said reciprocable lugs, and a spring controlled latch for locking said projecting means in the path of said shortbutt v needles during' their period of control by ring menil e1 trolling the actuation of the short butt needlecontrolling means carried by said ring member, and means for locking said promoting meansin the path of said short butt needles during their period of control by said needle control means carried by said ring member. r v

3. An attachment forspringneedle knitting machines comprising a plurality of ring sections adapted to be detachably' seemed to surround the needle cylinder of the machine, plurality of needle engaging block members carried by one o-rsaid sections and reciproc'able relative thereto, a plurality of housing members i'emovably secured to said ring se'ctio'n to house said block members, and s ringmeans removably secured to said ring sections and engaging said block members to'yieldably maintain the same against movement relative to said ring section.

1. An attachment for spring needle knitting machines comprising a pair oli ring sections adapted to be secured together, to surround the needle cylinder of the machine, one of said sections havin plurality of spaced guide ribs, a plural. of needle engaging block members carried by one of said sections and reciproeable relative thereto, a plurality of housing members rei'novably secured to said ring section to house said bl'ocl'c members, and a coil. pring surrounding the assembledring sections and engaging; said block members Within said housing members to yieldably maintain said block members against movementaml in felinement within said housing members.

5. an attachment for spring needle knitting machines compri. g a pair of ring sections adapted to be secured together to surround the needle cylinder. of the machine, one of said sections having a plurality of spaced guide ribs, a plurality of needle engaging block members carried by one of said sections and reciprocable relative thereto, a plurality of housing members removably'secured to said ring section to house said block members, and arch spring surrounding the assembled ring sections and engaging said block members Within said housing members to yieldably maintain said block members against movement and in alinement Within said housing members, and means carried by said block members 14- An at achment for sprin needleknitadapted to be engaged by cam mechanism to reciprocate said blocl; members relative to said ring sections, whereby predetermined needles of said needle cylinder are engaged by said blocl; members and a reinforcing splice is knitted by other than said predetermined needles engaged by said block members.

(3. in a spring needle knitting machine, in con'ibination with. a rotating needle cylinder and main yarnling crsz splicing needles having short butts carried by the needle cylinder, a ring;- member carried by the needle cylinder, means carried by said ring member for controlling said short butt needles of the cylinder, means adapted to be projected, into the path of said short butt needles to lift the same into the control zone or said ring i'i'iember, means for automatically actuating said projecting means, means for automatically eon'trolli g the actuation of said short butt needle controlling means carried by said ring member, means for locking said projecting means in the path of I said short butt needles during their period of control by said needle control ineaitis 01 s; id ring member, and means for releasing said projecting means after the period of short butt needle control by said needle control means.

7. In a. spring needle knitting machine, the combination of a rotatable needle cylinder, short butt n edles and long butt. needles ied by said cylinder, means for moving to inoperative position said long butt needles,

,means for elevating said short butt needles to operative position, progressively movable means controlling said short butt needles to successively clear predetermined elevated units of the same, means operative from the power source of the machine for controlling the movement of said progressively movable means, and locking means for holding said elevating; means in the path oat said short butt'needles during the interval the latter are controlled by said progressively movable means, whereby saidunits will knit a splice design having successive steps of increasing widths in the heel portion of a stocking.

8. In, a spring needle knitting machine,

the combination of a rotatable needle cylin- 1,7ee,ece

dcr, short butt. needles and long butt needles carried by said cylinder, means for moving to inoperative position said long butt needles, means for elevating said short butt needles to operative position, a progressively and outwardly movable cam member controlling said short butt needles to successively clear predeterminetL elevated units of the same, a cam member operative from the power source of the machine and progressively rotatable with a stop motion to control the outward movement of said progressively movable cam n ember, and locking means for holding said elevating means in the path of said short butt needles during the interval the latter are controlled by said progressively and outwardly movable cam member whereby said needle units will knit a splice design having successive steps of increasing widths in the heel portion of a stocking.

in a spring needle knitting machine, "the combination of a rotatable needle cylinder, short butt needles and long butt needles 2: splice design having successive steps of ii creasing Widths in the heel portion of: a s cking, connecting; devices between said rotary cam member and said outwardly movable cam member, the respective movements of both of said cam members being in timed relation to the knitting operation of said elevated needle units and locking; means for holding said elevating means in the path of said short butt eedles during the interval the latter are controlled by said progressively and outwardly movable cam-member.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ARTHUR J. iii-norm 

